Poole’s Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s (RNLI) repair and maintenance operation has relocated as the charity begins work on its new state-of-the-art All Weather Lifeboat Centre.

It has moved across the water from the RNLI headquarters, to MDL’s Cobb’s Quay Marina, which will play host to several lifeboats and the RNLI’s repair and maintenance team.

This means the life-saving charity’s practical work can continue, uninterrupted, while the development gets underway.
 
Peter Hogsden, Marina Manager at Cobb’s Quay, said: ‘We are delighted to welcome the RNLI to Cobb’s Quay.

‘The lifeboats provide an essential service to sailors and others that use the sea in the local area, so it is great to be able to help them while their new facilities are being constructed.

‘It also gives visitors and our berth holders at the marina a great chance to get up-close and see the day-to-day care of the RNLI’s fleet.’

The RNLI’s Head of Construction and Refit, Angus Watson, said: ‘Having a suitable location on the doorstep to continue our vital work on the fleet allowed us to have a seamless transition of work.

‘We will remain at Cobb’s Quay while we develop the All-weather Lifeboat Centre where the next generation of lifeboats will be built and others already in service around the UK and Ireland will be maintained; some will be refitted to extend their lifesaving capability for many more years.
 
‘The support and cooperation extended to us from MDL Marinas has been excellent over the past few months while we moved and established our operation at Cobb’s, we look forward to working alongside everyone that utilises Cobb’s Quay during our stay.’